Unused chemicals have a home

By Patty Packrat

Posted:
05/04/2014 08:16:13 PM MDT

Question: I have an aerosol can full of a cleaning product but can't get it to spray. Can I just throw this in the trash or what should I do with it?

Answer: Aerosol cans can be placed with your recyclables, but only if they are completely empty. Since you can't empty the material from your can it should not be put in either your recycling or trash carts as it may explode in the truck. The aerosol container can be taken to Larimer County's household hazardous waste (HHW) facility for disposal. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Other (HHW) materials such as paint, oil, batteries, flammables, injection needles, solvents and containers with other chemicals remaining in them should never be placed in your trash container. Pesticide containers should be triple rinsed. Dangerous combinations can occur and may explode, catch on fire, or create gases that are harmful and dangerous and put city and county employees at risk.

Just a reminder: Certain electronics have been banned from disposal in landfills. These include televisions, computers, monitors, fax machines, DVD and VCR players, radios, and video game consoles. These items should not be mixed in with regular trash.